English Setter Association of
Hunting Dog and Hunting Dog Excellent Tests
The purpose of these tests is to show the usefulness of our
bench setters as hunting dogs, not to qualify them as AKC
field trial dogs. We are looking for a dog with natural
instinct in hunting game birds for a handler on foot.
The amount of time and effort required for a Hunting Dog title
should be similar to that of obtaining a C.D. degree in
obedience. The commitment involved for the Hunting Dog
Excellent title would approximate that for earning a U.D.
degree in obedience.
Any ESAA member club or qualified group of ESAA members is
eligible to conduct the Hunting Dog and Hunting Dog Excellent
tests upon application and approval by the ESAA. Tests may be
offered in conjunction with an AKC event or as a separate
event. (AKC events require strict adherence to AKC rules for
procedure. Consult AKC rule books for particulars. Test
rules will be the same.)
Application for the approval to hold the Hunting Dog and
Hunting Dog Excellent tests shall be made to the ESAA Hunting
Dog Test Chairman at least two months prior to the first day
of the test and shall include the date or dates of the test,
the exact location, the names of the judges, the types of
birds to be used, the name of the sponsoring club or group,
and the names and addresses of the test chairman and
secretary.
The ESAA Hunting Dog Test Chairman will forward to the local
chairman copies of the test requirements, judges signature
forms, score sheets, passing score ribbons, and guidelines for
holding the tests.
Within fourteen (14) days following the event the test
secretary shall submit to the ESAA Hunting Dog Test Chairman
duplicate copies of each entrant's score sheet signed by the
judges, the judges signature forms, and a report of the event
indicating any change in judges, or other information which
might affect eligibility, or future tests. Any unused ribbons
must also be returned.
Judges should be AKC approved Pointing or Field Trial judges.
However, the primary criteria will be their understanding and
commitment to judging on the basis that these tests are
designed to show the quality hunting instinct and ability of
our show setters as personal hunting dogs, not to compare them
with AKC field trial dogs.
Any AKC registered English Setter which has reached the age
of six (6) months on the first advertised day of the test may
compete. FDSB or foreign registered English Setters may
compete in non-AKC events, but must be registered with AKC
before title certificates will be awarded.
Spayed bitches and neutered dogs are eligible to compete.
Bitches in season may compete after all other dogs have been
tested. This information must be published in the premium
list, if these tests are held in conjunction with an AKC field
trial.
Qualifying Passes for Hunting Dog and Hunting Dog Excellent
Three passes per title are required under at least four
different judges.
In addition to passes in the H.D. and H.D.X. tests, the
following can be substituted for a H.D. pass:
1. A placement in a
2. A Junior Hunting pass at an AKC pointing test.
The following can be substituted for a H.D.X. pass:
1. A placement in a "Broke Dog" stake at an AKC field
trial or,
2. A Senior Hunting pass at an AKC pointing test.
At least two of the three passes required for a H.D. or
H.D.X. must be earned at an ESAA H.D. test.
Field trial placements and Pointing test passes must be
verified by sending a photocopy of the Gazette page.
Application
for Certificates of Titles -
Hunting Dog or Hunting Dog Excellent
The ESAA Hunting Dog Test Chairman will be responsible for
awarding title certificates to qualified dogs. Upon receipt
of photocopies of the AKC registration and three eligible
passes, equivalents, or combinations of the two, a certificate
for the appropriate title will be issued. Upon receipt of the
certificate, the initials H.D. or H.D.X. may be used following
the dog's name in advertising or on pedigrees.
The ESAA Hunting Dog Test Chairman will notify the ESAA
newsletter editor periodically of those dogs who have
earned their titles. Owner's names will be included.
Entry forms must include the registered name of the dog, sex,
date of birth, AKC or other registration number, country of
registration, sire, dam, breeder, owner's name and address,
handler if different from owner, stake entered, and
specifications for shoot to retrieve (live round) or non-shoot
to retrieve (blank pistol).
If tests are offered with an AKC event, pre-entry only is
permitted. When the tests are run as a separate event, day of
entry may be accepted at the option of the host group.
There will be no horseback handling.
Two judges are required per stake and both must judge every
dog. Dogs will run in braces but should they go in different
directions, judges must have pre-selected the dogs they will
follow.
Upland game birds must be used in all tests.
The tests will be given on a single course with birdfield.
Time in the backfield must be at least 12 minutes and at least
8 minutes in the birdfield.
Dogs may continue to compete after earning a title, but may
not be entered twice for the same test in any one event.
The purpose of this test is to show the usefulness of our
bench setters as hunting dogs, not to qualify them as AKC
field trial dogs. We are looking for a dog with natural
instinct in hunting game birds for a handler on foot.
The dog must show a desire to hunt, must have an attractive
style of running and must demonstrate not only intelligence in
quartering and in seeking objectives but also the ability to
find game. It should show intelligent use of the wind and
terrain in locating game.
The dog must be under its handlers control at all times at a
range suitable for a handler on foot and should be attentive
and check in with its handler frequently.
It must cover adequate ground but never range too distant or
out of sight for a length of time that would detract from its
usefulness as a practical hunting dog
The dog must find game and it must establish a point. A flash
point is not acceptable. A dog that is gun shy or a dog who
fails to finish the course, will automatically fail the test.
If the judge is in doubt whether the dog has pointed, or
similarly, if there has been no opportunity to retrieve when
the retrieve option has been exercised, the dog may be called
back. However, in order for the judge to allow a callback in
either case, the dog must originally have made some contact
with game.
When game is flushed within reasonable gunning range in the
backfield, a blank will be shot. In the birdfield a shotgun
or a blank pistol must be used when game is flushed within
reasonable gun range. A retrieve in the birdfield is
desirable, but is not required to pass the test.
The dog must be steady to wing and shot. If the opportunity
presents itself, the hunting dog must honor the point of its
bracemate. When game is flushed within reasonable gun range
in the backfield, a blank will be shot, and in the birdfield,
a shotgun or a blank pistol must be used. A retrieve in the
birdfield, is desirable, but is not required to pass the test.
Definition of terms:
Run, Range, Cover, Search: Run is the manner in which the dog
moves across the ground. The run must have intensity and the
dog should be obviously running for the purpose of finding
game. Range is the distance the dog works from the handler
and is determined by the type of cover the dog is working. He
should work far enough out in open cover to check distance
objectives using the wind to his advantage. The range should
be adequate to minimize the amount of walking for the handler.
In heavy cover the dog should work correspondingly closer.
The dog should identify and search likely cover, that is,
cover where game might be expected to hide.
Responsiveness to handler: The dog should take direction
willingly but not be totally dependent on his handler. This
test is intended to demonstrate the effectiveness of bench
setters in finding game for a hunter on foot, so the dog
should quarter and be in the control of the handler at a
suitable gunning range.
Point: On finding game, the dog must establish point. To
qualify, the dog must find and point game. A slight
hesitation (flash point) is not acceptable.
Steady to wing and shot (H.D.X. only): Upon locating game,
the dog must hold point, until he is sent for a retrieve, or
released by the handler. A dog is allowed a reasonable move
to mark game, but breaking point or chasing a flushed bird is
an automatic failure.
Honor (H.D.X. only): When a dog sees his bracemate on point
within the same gunning range, he must stop his own work and
back his bracemate and remain stationary so as not to
interfere with the other's point.
Retrieve: When the bird has been shot, the dog should mark
its fall and once released by its handler go promptly and
eagerly for the retrieve. Upon finding the bird, he should
pick it up gently and return directly to the handler. The
retrieve is a popular requirement for a personal hunting dog,
but is only optional in both of these tests.
Callbacks: A dog may be "called back" (i.e., given another
chance to perform).
For more information, please contact:
Karen Lishinski, 517-524-7344 or klishins@jpsmail.org
Elizabeth Buege, 517-663-3502 3625247@comcast.net